Katie Seol’s already exceptional season hit another high point as she romped to victory in the Victorian Junior Open at Curlewis Golf Club.
The 15-year-old WA state golfer (pictured) was absolutely dominant throughout the 72-hole championship, finishing at 13-under-par — a massive 12 strokes clear of runner-up Sakura Yoshizawa.
It was Seol’s fourth ranking title of the season and her second in Victoria after she won the Vic Girls’ Amateur Championship in June.
In contention from the off, steady opening rounds of 72 and 73 had Seol leading by three shots at the halfway mark at 1-under-par, before she really caught fire in her third round.
There, the Cottesloe GC member fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 66 to break the course record and card her lowest ever competitive round.
It moved Seol to eight-under-par for the championship, granting her a seemingly unassailable eight-shot advantage heading into the final round.
She kept her foot on the gas on the last day, too, firing seven birdies in a five-under-par 68 to secure a thoroughly comprehensive victory.
Despite her large overnight advantage, Seol admitted that she’d still felt the nerves at the commencement of her final round.
“I still had some pressure going on the first tee, but my putting was pretty good today,” Seol told GolfWA. “This one means a lot to me, especially because I shot my PB, and also set a course record.
“I’m really grateful to have won this one. I’ve learned so much throughout the season and I’m very thankful for everyone who has supported me. I’m just happy to keep learning and improving.”
Seol now tops the Australian Girls Order of Merit for 2025-26, which concludes at the end of October.
The sole other WA golfer in the field was Lakelands Country Club’s Kortni Houston, but she was forced to retire after her third round.
In the concurrent boys’ event, South Australia’s Malachy Marshall was in similarly impressive form, his 16-under-par total leaving him seven strokes clear of Ti Fox.
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